Diamond Princess - Tokyo to Sydney and beyond, 4th Sep 2024

[Yaya_in_Oz]

12 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Alotau may be too small to have suitable medical facilities to treat the patient. Medivac may have been to Port Moresby, or possibly even to Cairns. 

 

The ship could have easily gone on to the Conflict Islands for the afternoon. It's only an hour or so from Alotau. We did one cruise in 2022 that was due to stop at the Conflict Islands. We had to go to Alotau at 6am to get clearance. The officials were late but we still got to the Conflict Island by late morning. Unfortunately there was a strong swell affecting the tender wharf so we didn't actually get ashore.

Totally agree with everything you said but it would be nice to be told. I always read the medical facilities on board are basic so its hard to imagine the hospital for the province being any less basic.

Agreed, its just a stone's throw to the Conflict Islands and we could have gone. There are now two wharves making currents less of a problem on Conflict Islands. Either way we could have been told. I'm meant to be happy with $16.63 and an extra sea day 🙃

Edited September 22 by Yaya_in_Oz

[OzKiwiJJ]

2 hours ago, Yaya_in_Oz said:

Totally agree with everything you said but it would be nice to be told. I always read the medical facilities on board are basic so its hard to imagine the hospital for the province being any less basic.

Agreed, its just a stone's throw to the Conflict Islands and we could have gone. There are now two wharves making currents less of a problem on Conflict Islands. Either way we could have been told. I'm meant to be happy with $16.63 and an extra sea day 🙃

I'm fairly certain the shipboard medical facilities are a bit more than basic but they probably aren't equipped to deal with something like a major cardiac issue where emergency surgery may be needed.

[cruiser3775]

I was on Coral Princess in Alotau when we had a medical evacuation. We had to stay overnight before a helicopter could pick up the passenger early next morning. I was told that the hospital in Alotau is so basic that there was no way the ship's medical staff would transfer the passenger there to await the medivac.   Weather conditions are often unsuitable for flying in that area.

[CDaze71]

@Yaya_in_Oz

Thank you so much for posting all your Patters, I've been eagerly following along. Seems like there's so many of the fun activities I like to do on Sea Days and lots of Game Shows, it sounds right up my alley. I'm now looking at options to book on the Diamond. 

 

Will it be USD or AUD $ onboard when sailing out of Brisbane? 

 

Could I please ask for you to investigate something easy? Is there anywhere that has included Sausage Rolls? On the old Sea Princess my child loved being able to jump out of the pool and grab a quick Sausage Roll for lunch, but I can't remember what the venue was called. Also just want to confirm that the Trident Grill has included burgers and hot dogs?

Also is icecream included? Thank you. 

Edited September 22 by CDaze71

[arxcards]

All Australian Princess departures are $AU aboard.

[arxcards]

On 9/23/2024 at 6:54 AM, CDaze71 said:

@Yaya_in_Oz

Thank you so much for posting all your Patters, I've been eagerly following along. Seems like there's so many of the fun activities I like to do on Sea Days and lots of Game Shows, it sounds right up my alley. I'm now looking at options to book on the Diamond. 

 

Will it be USD or AUD $ onboard when sailing out of Brisbane? 

 

Could I please ask for you to investigate something easy? Is there anywhere that has included Sausage Rolls? On the old Sea Princess my child loved being able to jump out of the pool and grab a quick Sausage Roll for lunch, but I can't remember what the venue was called. Also just want to confirm that the Trident Grill has included burgers and hot dogs?

Also is icecream included? Thank you. 

I can't be sure for sausage rolls, but was able to get Mrs Mac's pies nuked at the equivalent of Trident Grill on Coral & Majestic. It seems to be standard practice for Aussie based Princess, but I can't be sure for Diamond. Trident does have included burgers and dogs, as well as pizza at Prego on the opposite side. Soft serve ice cream is N/C at Swirls.

[Yaya_in_Oz]

Thankyou @OzKiwiJJ and @cruiser3775 for your replies. Swells on Conflict Islands could be disregarded as the call was made to abandon that port 5.30 the previous evening. Your replies offer valid reasons but I don't think passengers should be left speculating when it could all be explained without compromising patient confidentiality. Simple. Once we were underway, the CD chirped...'ladies and gentlemen, the Casino and shops will soon be open'. I love the positive

spin 🤣. Now, that one job I could never do.

[Yaya_in_Oz]

Last Patters.

 

[Yaya_in_Oz]

On 9/23/2024 at 6:54 AM, CDaze71 said:

@Yaya_in_Oz

Thank you so much for posting all your Patters, I've been eagerly following along. Seems like there's so many of the fun activities I like to do on Sea Days and lots of Game Shows, it sounds right up my alley. I'm now looking at options to book on the Diamond. 

 

Will it be USD or AUD $ onboard when sailing out of Brisbane? 

 

Could I please ask for you to investigate something easy? Is there anywhere that has included Sausage Rolls? On the old Sea Princess my child loved being able to jump out of the pool and grab a quick Sausage Roll for lunch, but I can't remember what the venue was called. Also just want to confirm that the Trident Grill has included burgers and hot dogs?

Also is icecream included? Thank you. 

 

Trident Menu.

Swirls and Pizza are also available around the pool as arxcards has mentioned. I'm not sure where I'd look for sausage rolls. I never saw any in the buffet either.

I was a bit naughty. I saw loaded fries on the menu. I've never had them so I tried the cheese and bacon ones. Yummy!

Edited September 25 by Yaya_in_Oz

[Yaya_in_Oz]

We got a certificate for crossing the Equator. It was half size (A5) and not personally addressed but still a momento of the cruise. There are also 2 Princess bags hanging in the closet for your use. I have no use for them but bought 2 colourful ones for shopping bags back home in Alotau supermarket.

[Yaya_in_Oz]

Disembarkation for Sydney.

 

I'm in Group Aqua 3. Perfect for a midday flight. I was pleased at the price for the Airport Transfer. It was only about $7 more than going on the train, so why bother when I don't wish to sightsee. I'll check in online later.

I live in Melbourne but decided to get off in Sydney for a number of reasons. Firstly, when I booked it was $1100 more to go to Melbourne, to me not a good use of money for 2 sea days. I also had a flight credit to use. There was more choice of cabins for Sydney and I also did not want to be traipsing around Melbourne on Grand Final Day.

[lorri111]

We are flying to Sydney tonight to board Diamond tomorrow to cruise to Melbourne, hope the weather is not too bad in Sydney tomorrow!

[arxcards]

Sad it is nearly over. Enjoy your last night aboard @Yaya_in_Oz

[Yaya_in_Oz]

44 minutes ago, lorri111 said:

We are flying to Sydney tonight to board Diamond tomorrow to cruise to Melbourne, hope the weather is not too bad in Sydney tomorrow!

Have a great cruise! its lovely out now. I've got the door of the balcony open (aircon off of course). My steward told me 14 of the 20 cabins he looks after will change hands tomorrow, so a busy day in Sydney.

[lorri111]

4 minutes ago, Yaya_in_Oz said:

Have a great cruise! its lovely out now. I've got the door of the balcony open (aircon off of course). My steward told me 14 of the 20 cabins he looks after will change hands tomorrow, so a busy day in Sydney.

So looking forward to it! Thanks for all your posts, super of you to post all the Patters!

Edited September 25 by lorri111

[Yaya_in_Oz]

Brisbane

 

BICT does have free wifi, souvenir shop etc. Its comfortable but miles from anywhere so its shuttle into the City or call a taxi if you're not going on an excursion. In this instance, as the first port of call into Aus, there were various ABF requirements and you would be sitting in the terminal until it was all over if you didn't go anywhere.

 

Getting off the ship and through immigration took around half an hour but I was given priority by having a shuttle ticket for 9 am and when they were running late just waved me on ahead. The shuttle dropped us at King George Square in front of the Town Hall. I had hoped to go up the Clock Tower but I didn't realise it was school holidays and you should book online. The earliest they had was 4pm. I had a look around MoB which has art and photos of Brisbane's history. There were a number of childrens groups engaged in activities. 

Instead I went to the fairly new Skydeck of the new casino. Its only 23 floors up but gives a good view of Brisbane in particular Southbank. It was very busy as its free. No hope of getting a snack at the Cafe, people waiting to get a seat and they don't have that many. Maybe about 50. I'm absolutely in favour of it. Its great there are places people can take their kids for free and have a great day out. There is a section of glass you can walk on and see down to the street. This bloke was telling me about some glass walkways in the world where it appears to crack while you are walking on it. Well now, thats something to look out for! 😱

I then wandered down past my favourite building in Brisbane - The Mansions with the cats on the roof. They are renovating that at present. Then onto Parliament, QUT, City Botanic, wander round the shops then back to the shuttle.

[Yaya_in_Oz]

What else?

 

I went to a number of talks. All good, excellent presenters. We had Dr. Peter Williams with his military stuff. We had Russell Twomey with his maritime stuff. I'd seen twice before and was able to tell him he'd motivated me to go see the Mary Rose and Victory when I was in the area and hopped off the HOHO to see the Vasa ship. Jessica Potter was the destination expert who also seemed to be running a book club on a couple of books related to the ports visited.

If you missed anything, it was all on TV.

 

I went to the most of the shows. They put on Born to be Wild, with the pink Cadillac. I hadn't seen that since prior to Covid. I'd also give a shout out to Adrien Soon on the harmonica. If it hadn't of been a sea day, I would of thought, 45 mins of harmonica, maybe? but he was just excellent. He belted out tunes like Rondo Alla Turca, Can-can on a variety of harmonicas. all shapes and sizes.

[Yaya_in_Oz]

Next, I'll be on Dora on her penultimate journey before she is sold to a cruise line or goes to God. I haven't got anything booked after that. I think I'll got to Fiji with a friend and swim in the ocean, enjoy the mudpools etc. After last season with all the Sth Pacific cruises with cancelled ports or going somewhere else altogether like Tasmania, it would be a safer bet. Then there is all those wheat silos, being painted as I write, to visit. But who knows what my turn up in the cruising world. 😎

[Yaya_in_Oz]

Well, the Cpt who is a man of a few words or no words has spoken. He says at present there are 30 knot winds and 2m swells and that will increase to 40 knots (hope I've got that right) so heading straight for Sydney arriving at 2.30 am but not allowed off the boat until 7 am. I'm pleased about that. Wouldn't want a delay. I'll be off the air until about 10 am tomorrow at the airport. Fingers crossed.

[lorri111]

9 minutes ago, Yaya_in_Oz said:

Well, the Cpt who is a man of a few words or no words has spoken. He says at present there are 30 knot winds and 2m swells and that will increase to 40 knots (hope I've got that right) so heading straight for Sydney arriving at 2.30 am but not allowed off the boat until 7 am. I'm pleased about that. Wouldn't want a delay. I'll be off the air until about 10 am tomorrow at the airport. Fingers crossed.

What time was it expected in Sydney normally? Is the weather affecting anything? Hoping nothing impacts tomorrows boarding and departure

[Yaya_in_Oz]

6 minutes ago, lorri111 said:

What time was it expected in Sydney normally? Is the weather affecting anything? Hoping nothing impacts tomorrows boarding and departure

We were down for a 6am arrival. The TV says we are travelling at 18 knots so I don't know if thats faster or slower than normal. Its still mild outside, no rain yet.

I think Cpt made announcement as there would be those who would see we are in Sydney and try and get off in the middle of the night.

Anyway time to pack and see the Show but I'll give the deck party a miss 😄

[arxcards]

12 minutes ago, lorri111 said:

What time was it expected in Sydney normally? Is the weather affecting anything? Hoping nothing impacts tomorrows boarding and departure

Hopefully the tsunami doesn't cause too many problems in Sydney.

[arxcards]

The ships usually board their harbour pilot around first light - currently about 5am. It will indeed be a nice exception.

 

So, a late night for Sydney Harbour employees, but no ship clearance until the powers that be have had their morning latte.

[lorri111]

30 minutes ago, Yaya_in_Oz said:

We were down for a 6am arrival. The TV says we are travelling at 18 knots so I don't know if thats faster or slower than normal. Its still mild outside, no rain yet.

I think Cpt made announcement as there would be those who would see we are in Sydney and try and get off in the middle of the night.

Anyway time to pack and see the Show but I'll give the deck party a miss 😄

I think 18 knots is quite fast, since cruise ships take their time. I seem to recall Titanic was doing 21 knots but that was flat out at that time.

[OzKiwiJJ]

1 hour ago, lorri111 said:

I think 18 knots is quite fast, since cruise ships take their time. I seem to recall Titanic was doing 21 knots but that was flat out at that time.

Most cruise ships can do up to 21 knots, except for the QM2 which is a liner so has a different shaped hull enabling it to go faster.

 

18 knots is moderately fast. On Coral at times we were doing a steady 20 knots when we had to cover long distances quickly. Usually Captains will slow down a bit if the seas are getting a bit bouncy but sometimes they just have to slam through them.